Over a million people visit Death Valley National Park each year, and most of them enjoy their time in the park without incident. However, last week, tragedy unfolded as a French tourist died after his car broke down in the desert.
What Happened
On Aug. 17, Pierre Michel Formosa, 68, and a friend were driving through the park, according to a press release from the National Park Service (NPS). Their vehicle became stuck in the mud near Queen of Sheba Mine Road, and with no one else in sight, they started walking down the road to get assistance.
After about 1.3 miles, Formosa couldn’t carry on, and the other man kept walking. A passing car helped him report the incident to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center at around 2 p.m.
NPS and Inyo County began rescue operations at approximately 2:13 p.m. Later in the afternoon, a California Highway Patrol helicopter found Formosa deceased. The cause of death will not be made public until the Inyo County Coroner completes his investigation. It is worth noting that temperatures that day reached as high as 116 degrees.
“Our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the visitor who died,” Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds said in a press release. “This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can turn dangerous. Death Valley is an extraordinary place, but its heat, distances, and remoteness can be dangerous, regardless of experience. We’re grateful to everyone who took part in the search, and our thoughts are with his loved ones.”
How Deadly Is Death Valley?
Located in a desert in Southern California, temperatures in Death Valley in the summer regularly exceed 120 degrees, with the average high in August standing at 115 degrees. The park holds the record for the hottest place on Earth. Multiple incidents of vehicles catching fire or breaking down are reported each year in the park.
The topography of the park is part of the reason for this extreme heat. “The valley is a long, narrow basin that reaches down to 282 feet below sea level, yet is walled by high, steep mountain ranges. The clear, dry air and sparse plant cover allow sunlight to heat the desert surface. Heat radiates back from the rocks and soil, then becomes trapped in the valley’s depths,” the park’s website explains.
In these conditions, individuals can fall victim to heat-related illnesses very quickly. When heat stroke sets in, the body’s internal temperature can rise to 106 degrees in as little as 10 to 15 minutes.
From 2014 to 2019, 29 people died in the park, according to NPS data. The leading cause was motor vehicle accidents, which led to nine fatalities. The next most common cause was environmental, with six deaths. In July 2024, a motorcyclist died of heat-related illness, and then in August 2024, a man died from heat exposure in the Natural Bridge area.
How to Stay Safe
Cell service is extremely limited in the park, so if an emergency occurs, getting help can be difficult and may take hours to arrive. The NPS has several recommendations for visitors, including the following:
- “Plan your route in advance and check current road and weather conditions.
- Tell someone your plans — where you’re going and when you expect to return.
- Carry ample water and supplies. The park recommends at least one gallon of water per person, per day, plus extra for vehicle emergencies.
- Match your vehicle to the road. Many backcountry roads require high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles, and conditions can change without warning.
- Bring a way to call for help where cell service may not reach, such as a satellite communicator or emergency beacon.
- If your vehicle becomes disabled, staying with it is often the safest choice. It provides shade and shelter, and it’s far easier for search teams to spot than a person on foot in open terrain.
- During periods of extreme heat, visitors are encouraged to stay on paved roads and avoid hiking at lower elevations.”
Death Valley is also much cooler in the winter months. From November through February, the average daily high does not exceed 80 degrees.
